Sheffield Council leader Julie Dore said the local authority is doing everything possible to support care homes and rough sleepers. In an interview with Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jallor, Councillor Julie Dore said more funding is needed for the care sector and better rewards are needed for care workers. On rough sleepers she said: “every rough sleeper in the city has got access to accommodation”. Her comments comes after the local authority was criticised by a local care provider for not ensuring sufficient access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for care workers.

Around twenty people gathered outside Sheffield Town Hall to commemorate International Workers Memorial Day and to recall health workers and other frontline staff who have died from Covid-19. A minute’s silence was held to remember those who have died and wreaths were laid on the memorial tree while observing public health guidance on social distancing. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Martin Mayer, general secretary of Sheffield Trades Union Council.

Animal welfare charities have had to adapt to lockdown restrictions, with some services suspended and others adapting to social distancing and self isolation measures. Sheffield’s Blue Cross branch remains open but has adapted its rehoming service and has cancelled a spring fundraising event. Blue Cross rehoming manager; Michelle Smith said: “Our animal hospitals are still operating, doing consultations by video and delivering medications”. Bethany Gavaghan reports for Sheffield Live!

Greg Fell, Director of Public Health in Sheffield, told Sheffield Live! that testing is being greatly expanded as the government announced that millions more will be eligible for tests. In England all care home staff and residents will be eligible for tests from Wednesday. Military personnel have been drafted in to support drive-in test centres in Barnsley and Doncaster. Sangita Basudev reports for Sheffield Live!

South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation have distributed over £200,000 in grants to community groups to help respond to Covid-19. National and local fundraising has so far raised over £600,000 for distribution with the scheme still open for applications. The money will be used to help foodbanks, counselling services and a wide range of other community groups responding across South Yorkshire to the public health crisis. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Sam Caldwell, head of grants at South Yorkshire Community Foundation.

Thousands of Sheffielders are facing delays in access to unversal credit and risk getting into debt, according to Citizen Advice Sheffield. The charity says many are experiencing difficulties verifying their details on the government website and some may have to wait more than five weeks before their first payment. Sheffield Live reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Clare Lodder, chief executive of Citizens Advice Sheffield.

A Rotherham couple have set up a 3D print factory in their home to produce protective visors for the NHS. After getting a go ahead to supply Rotherham General Hospital they have upped production to over 100 items per day. Sean Johnson reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield based youth charity Element has launched an online drop-in service to support disadvantaged young people. The informal video coaching scheme will continue the charity’s work to support young people make a positive change in their lives. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield based anti-trafficking charity City Hearts are adapting their support for those now facing the challenges of lockdown. With reports of increased domestic violence during the coronavirus crisis and additional trauma for those who have previously been in controlling relationships the charity is providing telephone and online support. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to City Hearts development manager Kirsty Allan.

Thousands of employees in Sheffield could be missing out on wage payments during the coronavirus lockdown because employers are not aware of changes to the government’s job retention scheme which has now opened for applications. In March the government announced a series of measures to support businesses and to protect jobs, including the furlough scheme which allows employers to ask qualifying workers to stay at home and receive at least 80% of their normal wages through a government grant. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke Shaun Duffy, employment rights advisor at Citizens Advice Sheffield.